Hampshire motorway service stations to get new Changing Places facilities

The county is set to receive three Changing Places facilities, after the government gave £132,000 to operators in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Changing Places are used by people with disabilities and their families to change into a different set of clothes, providing more space than a standard disabled toilet.

Similar facilities have been opened at Tesco in Fareham and at Gosport Discovery Centre, among other locations.

Transport accessibility minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: ‘It is hard to overstate the importance of something as simple as an accessible area for the over 250,000 people nationwide who have a severe disability.

‘I want everyone to have the confidence to travel by any means so it is incredibly important to work with Muscular Dystrophy UK to provide Changing Places facilities at the majority of service stations in England, including three in Hampshire.’

Following a public consultation, ministers said including changing places toilets will be compulsory in public buildings with a capacity of more than 350 from January 1, 2021.

The announcement confirms a commitment made by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the budget in March.

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After this second round of Changing Places funding, 87 of England’s 118 service stations will be set to have a fully accessible Changing Places toilet.

Rob Burley from Muscular Dystrophy UK said: ‘Many disabled people travel by car to get from A to B, and knowing a Changing Places toilet is available en route will be invaluable.’

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